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Monday, October 15, 2012

Thanks

Thanks to all those who have been sending messages of support over the last day or so, they are all much appreciated. As many orthodox priests have found, including Fr Chandler in the UK, when you tackle the occult and New Age, its practitioners are ready to attack. I see just this afternoon some of those who left the poisonous comments were back again - it seems they are organised. If ever we needed an argument to show how dangerous yoga is it is the venomous attack of these practitioners which we have seen over the past couple of days here. One even tried to use the combox to promote a local yoga group! Anyway, we give them into the hands of St Michael and his Angels.

It is interesting that this spat should emerge as the Church begins the Year of Faith. Many Catholics dabble in the occult and New Age out of pure ignorance, understanding little about Christ, his teachings and the incompatibility of such practices with Christian faith and spirituality. If ever we need a new emphasis on catechesis it is now as many have been led astray.

This is, I think for us Christians, a year in our lives to be devoted to an intense study of our faith. While I do not agree with many of their teachings, I admire the Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Christian Scientists, for example, because they dedicate themselves to understanding the tenets of their belief systems - we do not have to agree with them to acknowledge their commitment and zeal. We should be doing that ourselves, and seeing as we have the truth in Jesus Christ, we should be even more diligent in coming to understand what the Lord and his Church teaches.

The Catholic faith is so rich and beautiful; its many spiritualities profound, nourishing and uplifting, leading us to the True God and helping us advance towards holiness on the path of perfection, as St Teresa of Avila puts it. In this year we should take the opportunity to explore it and see which spirituality is to be ours. Today, the feast of St Teresa of Avila, we can look to Carmelite spirituality, but there are others: that of St Francis, St Dominic, St Ignatius, St Paul of the Cross, the Benedictine, the Cistercian and so many others.

These are not just religious orders, but ways of Christian life in which a Saint was inspired to live in a particular way and become an example for others. Indeed many lay people are so taken with the teaching and spirituality of one Saint, they became spiritual sons and daughters of that Saint, perhaps even join the Third Order or Lay Association of the Saint's Order or Congregation. There's a project for you: if not already a religious, is there a spiritual family out there for you?

One of the things I say to my parishioners and when I give talks, is that we must realise the communion that exists between us and begin to live that communion. A spiritual family is important, especially in these times when orthodox Christians are being sidelined and persecuted by non-believers and even by the lax and lapsed within the Church. We need the support of the faithful to withstand attack - as I see clearly in these last couple of days. The evil one works to divide, we must work to form communion: communion in love, in faith and in truth. Let us pray for each other.

Please note: Up until now I have allowed the anonymous option on the combox, but given the nature of the comments I have received, from now on if people want to comment, they will have to reveal who they are. I welcome comments, as long as the usual rules of courtesy and respect are observed . If people disagree with me, fair enough, I have rarely deleted comments on my blog: in fact I have only done it once before when the comment, not referring to me but to another person, was libelous. Of course, as you know, there is no such thing as an anonymous comment, all can be tracked down: I have a tracker programme monitoring my blog, so I have the IP addresses of all who comment, and these can be followed up.

Happy feast day to you all! May our Madre, St Teresa of Jesus, watch over you and protect you.

4 comments:

Most Jehovah's Witnesses are decent folk who are trapped in an oppressive cult like organization the Watchtower society.The Watchtower core dogma is Jesus 'invisible' return or second coming October 1914,this is a false doctrine.Matthew 7:15-16 "Be on the watch for the false prophets,who come to you in sheep's clothing....."God bless-Danny Haszard FMI-dannyhaszard(dot)com

It is very unfortunate to see also that new age practices such as yoga and even shamanism (which is occult) are allowed in Catholic Retreat Centres in Ireland. I have also seen crystals displayed in some Chapels also. It is a terrible shame that those who run these Centres do not realise the richness of their own faith.

I have a question for you. I am in formation for a secular order of Discalced Carmelites. This year, I will make a temporary promise and in 4 more years a definitive promise.

There are several in our group that also practice yoga. This has caused some concern for some of us because we understand the harm it can cause. We are waiting for a decision from our spiritual advisor and our mother group in Cheyenne.

Fr Joseph Ssemakula, who wrote the "The Healing of Families" warns about the spiritual dangers of yoga in that book. Many do not understand the dangers of yoga, even priests and religious. This is causing confusion.

What I would like to know from YOU: Is there potential harm to me making a promise to a community where membership includes those practicing yoga? I am concerned about unhealthy relationships that Fr. Joseph speaks about in his book and would this constitute a way satan could cause problems for me and others in our group?

Thank you for your comment, Ingrid. That there are a number in the community are united in their concerns about new age practices is good, work with them. Hopefully your spiritual assistant will come back with good advice and help those who are involved with these practices to leave them behind and find in their lives as professed Carmelites a spirituality that far transcends the new age. I think you should continue in formation and make your first profession. As a Secular Carmelite you are a member of the Discalced Order, not just of one community, so there is a bigger picture here. You may also, as a professed member of the community, be in a better position to be influential and be a leaven. Remember when our Holy Mother was appointed Prioress of the Incarnation in Avila - the sisters barred the door, refused to accept her, she did not back down, but with faith and humility, under the authority of Our Lady as Prioress, she was able to turn the community around. As a daughter of this Holy Mother, St Teresa, aim to be like her: humble, faithful, courageous and evangelical. Perhaps you have been called into this community in the Order to help your brothers and sisters in this regard. I will keep you in my prayers, sister in Carmel!

Novena to the Holy Family for the Cause of Marriage and Family Life in Ireland

Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

we bless and venerate you.

We commend to your care and protection

the cause of marriage and family life.

May the peace which reigned in your home

take possession of all hearts and abide in all families.

Confirm all men and women in the truth

so we may recognise what is good and right

and reject all that hinders life

and the true flourishing of humanity.

Guide the hearts of all citizens

that we may witness to the truth

in forming the laws governing our society.

Bless those who work for the protection

of marriage, family and life.

O Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

Holy Family of Nazareth,

We entrust our hearts and our lives to you.

Amen

Novena To Blessed Paul VI For A Miracle For An Unborn Baby Boy

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for the witness of your Servant, Blessed Paul VI, who served you and the Church as Universal Pastor in difficult times.

As a pilgrim among pilgrims he sought to reveal the beauty and joy of the Gospel to the men and women of his time, choosing the way of gentleness and forbearance.

As Shepherd of the flock he sought to proclaim the truth in a time of great confusion in imitation of his patron the Apostle to the Gentiles.

As Servant he proclaimed the Gospel of Life and in doing so bore the cross of suffering and isolation in union with your Crucified Son becoming a Prophet in the midst of the growing culture of death.

As we beseech you to raise your Servant to be numbered among the Saints, may his example of faith, courage and patient endurance inspire us in our daily living of the Gospel and in our witness to Jesus Christ.

May we too be Prophets of life, respecting, protecting and cherishing the gift of life, most especially in its most vulnerable moments.

May we too be your missionaries at this time, seeking to transform the hearts of all men and women through the joy we find in Christ.

Hear our prayers, most Merciful Father, and grant us through the intercession of Blessed Paul the graces we now ask that you may grant a healing of baby Paul.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory Be.

Blessed Paul VI, pray for him

Prayer For Christians In The Middle East

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour of the world, look upon our brothers and sisters in the Middle East, who proclaim your Name and live your Gospel in the midst of persecution, strive and martyrdom. Save them, we pray, protect them, and hear our prayer that peace may come to the Land you graced with your presence.

Pro-Life Novena to St Gianna

Saint Gianna,
Wife, Mother, Doctor and exemplary Christian,
intercede with Christ, our Lord of Life
to help us in these times to proclaim the Gospel of Life;
to bring to an end the evil of abortion
and the conversion of those who promote it;
to help and console those women tempted to do it,
and to heal those who have had one.
Watch over Ireland in these critical days.
Amen.

Three Hail Marys.

About Me

Fr John Hogan, OCDS, a Secular Discalced Carmelite priest serving in the Diocese of Meath, Ireland, is the founder and current Father Director of the Fraternity of St Genesius, an international association of prayer for those in the arts and media. He co-hosts the television series "Forgotten Heritage" on the Eternal Word Television Network.

St Genesius

Fraternity of St Genesius

Become a Missionary From Your Own Home

Assist the Church in her mission of evangelisation to those in the cinema and the arts. As a member of the Fraternity of St Genesius, you can be a missionary through your prayer, uniting yourself with men and women all over the world. In this International Family of Prayer, you can have a part in the New Evangelisation. For more information go to http://www.stgenesius.com/.